Diplomats to Host Drexel, Hofstra in Mayser

Feb 01, 2017

LANCASTER, Pa. – Franklin & Marshall's wrestling team is set to host its first dual at Mayser since Dec. 2 when the Diplomats welcome Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) opponents Drexel and Hofstra to Lancaster on Saturday.

Scouting Drexel: Heading into Saturday with a 9-5, 5-3 EIWA record, Drexel has accumulated signature wins against No. 25 Princeton (17-15) and Michigan State (25-9) so far this season.

The Dragons rank 10th on the NWCA/NDS Mid-Major Top 20 Poll, which is reserved for institutions that fall outside the traditional Power 5 conferences, while also receiving votes in the in latest USA Today/NWCA Division I Coaches Poll.

Drexel features a stacked lineup with a total of six wrestlers receiving national attention in the rankings, including Kevin Devoy at 133, Matt Cimato at 149, Austin Rose at 165, Alex DeCiantis at 184, Josh Murphy at 197 and Joey Goodhart at 285.

Scouting Hofstra: The Pride hold a 5-7 overall record and a 1-4 EIWA mark with wins against George Mason (18-13), Bloomsburg (30-9), East Stroudsburg (34-15), Sacred Heart (38-3) and West Liberty (42-0).

Hofstra is led by freshman 174-pounder Sage Heller, who heads into Saturday's dual with a 22-11 overall record on the season. The all-time series between these two schools dates back to the 1948 season and is knotted at 5-5.

A Look at the Messiah Open: The Diplomats will send a handful of wrestlers to compete at the Messiah Open on Sunday, set to take place in Grantham beginning at 10:00 a.m.

A total of four grapplers will take the mat for F&M, along with a trio of red shirts.

Wrestling Social on Saturday: Following the conclusion of the Drexel dual on Saturday, and before the start of the Hofstra match, the Diplomats will hold a social for alumni, families, and friends of the program in the Hall of Fame suite in Mayser. Snacks and light refreshments will be provided.

Last Week: F&M heads into the weekend with some momentum after the program's New England road swing from Jan. 21-22 ended with a crucial 25-18 victory over Sacred Heart. The Diplomats went 1-2 overall on the trip, with losses to Harvard (36-6) and Brown (36-4).

To read a recap of the Harvard and Brown duals, click here. To read a recap of the Sacred Heart win, click here.

Among the D1 Leaders:Paddy Quinlan remains on the NCAA D1 Falls Leaders list for the second straight week, placing eighth with nine pins on the season.

The junior captain is on a historic pace, already ranking in a tie for fifth on the all-time season pin's list and has a total of 17 in his career.

King Moving Up the Charts: Standing at 16-10 on the season, senior Robbie King now holds a 69-59 career record, which is good for the 13th most wins in program history. He needs just six more to crack the top 10.